Former Edgewater Police Officer Gets 26 Years For Manslaughter

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A former Edgewater police sergeant convicted of manslaughter has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Ronald Robbins, 46, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Julianne Piggotte on Thursday. A jury found him guilty last month of fatally shooting Jason Starkey, 22, following a fistfight in September 2002.

"Although he (Starkey) was a willing participant in a fistfight," Piggotte said, "there is nothing to indicate he was a willing participant in a gunfight."

It was the second time a jury convicted Robbins. He was originally sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder, but it was overturned when an appeals court ruled Robbins did not get a fair trial.

The victim's mother, Sandra Starkey, said her heart goes out to Robbins' mother.

"But I can't and won't ever forgive her son for taking away mine," Starkey said.

Robbins said he shot his .22-caliber handgun out of self defense because he thought he saw Jason Starkey holding a knife. Starkey ran 50 yards before he collapsed and died.

Witnesses testified that Starkey was walking away when Robbins fired his gun.

Robbins' lawyer, Paul Kwilecki, said he plans to appeal.

"We respect the judge," he said. "But we feel the sentence was very excessive."